Writing this in the middle of greens, surrounded by the majestic hills, snow-capped mountains and a calm serene sound of the water flowing through the mountains. The birds chirping like they are singing to each other with their melodious voice and the mountains as their audience. The scene is perfect.
I am in a small Village, Called Naddi, close to Dharamsala, atop a mountain. A small tiny village and a scenic eco-hotel in the middle of the Himalayas is exactly what I was looking forward to.
I am here on a short weekend holiday escaping from the hustle bustle of the city. The last eight months have been chaotic if anything and in the constant hustle bustle, you miss out on the small moments of life. These short breaks help one rejuvenate for the ensuing time to come.
What is an ideal holiday? Well, it means different things to different people. It means different kinds of places for different people – beaches, Mountains, Historic places, pilgrimage, etc..
Irrespective of the kind of place, my ideal holiday is one where I just get to spend time in peace with myself. An idyllic setting – be it a beach or on a hill, in a scenic location – be it in a AirBnb or a star hotel, with a good book for company along with a wonderful companion. Perfect.
I would spend all day doing nothing or like I call it, “Chill” all day. This feeling of nothingness makes me achieve a lot. I catch up with all my reading and writing and more importantly with all the thinking for which I always yearn for precious little time in day-to-day life.
Of late, in addition to the nothingness, Airbnb has allowed us to mingle with the local community and understand the local customs and their way of living in a better way. Like our stay in Sri Lanka last December where we met a wonderful young couple – Lankan guy married to an Australian woman and now settled in Galle. Their story was so romantic and inspiring, something the bland sameness of a hotel can never offer. These small nuggets of the local life leaves us enriched post the trip and gives a feeling that we have always belonged here.
Always, when I return back from a holiday, I am inevitably asked what all did I see and do. “I did nothing. I just chilled!” is my standard answer which baffles many. But that is what I did. Other than maybe hopped a couple of cafes browsing through different leftover books over cups of coffee.
Well, this is my ideal holiday and I totally enjoy it and look forward to it.
What is your ideal holiday?